She wrote in her message “I don’t think any of us have ever known a year like this one. Life became incredibly frightening in the pandemic but just as we think it might be over soon, it seems to keep going. It’s a bombardment – the horrific war in Ukraine, the famines, the droughts, the floods… and we lost our Queen. Many of my friends were surprised at how upset they were at her death especially as we aren’t royalists, but I think her passing became a focus of grief, for unexpressed loss that so many people felt during the pandemic.” 

Furthermore in her message, she writes, “I wonder where on earth we’ll all be at the end next year, I hope the war will end. I hope that the nurses will be in a position where they are appreciated – they should be cherished. Let’s all hope that next year will be better than this one.”

One of her best highlights of the year which she described as a “crazy, roller coaster” was the success of her famous 1985 song ‘Running Up That Hill as it topped the charts in both the UK and Australia. Thanks to the iconic scene in Stranger Things featuring Max’s Song as she faces Vecna.

She owes the success of RUTH to her fans in the younger generation, especially the new fans who thought she was a new artist for reviving the song’s popularity and getting all the attention and recognition it deserves.

Kate Bush is currently trending on Twitter as her wonderful message has users blooming with love and support for Kate. One Twitter user said, “Kate Bush has posted a beautiful Christmas message on her website. Accompanied by a picture of a robin, she reflects on Ukraine, the death of the Queen, her hope that nurses are finally cherished (yes, Kate!) and the huge success of Running Up That Hill. Merry Christmas, Kate!”

Another Twitter user said, “Kate Bush gave the best Christmas message and I love her. Merry Christmas Kate!! And we should appreciate the nurses working to fight the ongoing pandemic like she said. Plus Kate is not a royalist confirmed!”

In it the DOE outline their vision for music education and how it can be achieved through partnerships with schools, music hubs, and the creative sector. It’s main goal as per the government website is “to enable all children and young people in England to learn to sing, play an instrument and create music together and also have the opportunity to progress their musical interests and talents professionally“. It also notably promises a new £25 million fund to help schools purchase new instruments in order to provide thousands of pupils around the country a gateway into music. This will include adapted instruments for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities in an effort to provide equal opportunity for all.

For some this may come too little too late, after all it’s only a year and a half since the government released a campaign of posters around London and the rest of the UK suggesting people in the arts should retrain due to the pandemic. Causing much outrage at the time and further distancing themselves from an artistic community that already largely loathed them, Rishi Sunak didn’t do the government any more favours when he continued to hammer home the message on ITV news. When asked whether arts workers should simply try and find another job in a different sector, Sunak said: “I can’t pretend that everyone can do exactly the same job that they were doing at the beginning of this crisis“, before going on to say that everyone will have to “find ways to adapt and adjust to the new reality“.

@BreesAnna @SueC00K a concert pianist friend had just shared this. An HM Government poster. The government’s blatant plan to destroy the Arts. Last week the Chancellor (I think) was saying that people in the Arts should retrain and get a proper job. How low can they stoop? pic.twitter.com/dqp52s6pyG

— Richard Winzar (@RichardWinzar) October 12, 2020

How widely and effectively this new pledge from the government will help the UK’s music scene is up in the air. It’s hard to ignore the sneaky suspicion that the money might be better spent reviving the hundreds of venues around the country that were forced to close during the pandemic, or rebalancing the wholly inadequate way streaming royalties are paid to artists. Only time will tell, at least there is someone somewhere that cared enough to type up all 83 pages. You can read the plan here.

In the report, they predict that live music revenue will grow at an annual rate of 17 percent over the next four years in the UK. Revenue fell to £225million in 2020 and is expected to reach £846million by the end of this year. Before the virus hit live music revenue was worth £1.58bn. By 2025, the UK’s live music revenue is forecast to be worth £1.56 billion almost as much as the aforementioned year.

This clearly showcases the massive effect that COVID has had on the music industry. Many artists rely quite heavily on the income they make from live music. The fact that it will take almost four years to reach the same revenue levels as a couple of years ago shows the full extent of the damage caused by the pandemic on the music industry. There has been much grievance towards the government for their handling of the arts and live music claiming that the government was “pushing live music off a cliff-edge”.

The UK head of Entertainment and Media at PwC, Mark Maitland stated that “UK consumers’ rapid migration to digital behaviours in the pandemic has now become embedded in their day-to-day lives, helping to sustain overall growth across Entertainment and Media for the coming five years. As companies race to meet consumers’ evolving needs with new products, services and experiences, the E&M industry will become more pervasive, more immersive and more diverse.

“Some sectors have found interesting ways to navigate the effects of the pandemic – notable examples include B2B events moving to online/virtual and now increasingly hybrid formats. However, sectors such as live music have struggled to go virtual, as it’s so difficult to replicate the in-person experience online. So there’s pent-up demand in those sectors ready to be released as lockdown ends.”

On Monday, July 19 live music is set to return to England without restrictions following the government’s decision to push on with their plans to lift the majority of coronavirus-enforced rules in the country. However, in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland live event restrictions are still set to continue.

Boris Johnson also urged nightclubs and large events to employ checks for ‘COVID passports’ when restrictions in England are lifted next week.

Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat

The 2021 ‘Fingers Crossed’ tour had been due to kick off in October, when the band’s new album is also set to be released. According to the band speaking to NME, the new album is “about the aftermath of coming through something together, but also not being able to comprehend what someone else is going through. We’re all trying to make the best of that.”

The ‘Fingers Crossed’ tour will now take place in February and March 2022 – except for their date at Hamburg, which has been rescheduled for August 16th due to repair works being carried out at the stadium until then. The band announced the rescheduled dates in a tweet, saying that “With the ongoing uncertainty around travel restrictions, we have made the decision to postpone our upcoming European tour until February/March 2022. We can’t wait to get out and see you all as soon as it is safe for everyone to be together again”

Tickets are now on sale now at: https://www.biffyclyro.com/live/. Tickets for the Hannover gig will go on sale this Friday 25th June at 9am BST / 10am CET. The band also promises an update on a Stockholm date soon, and notes that any tickets already purchased will remain valid for the rescheduled dates.

The band are also set to headline next year’s Download festival, amongst other big names including Iron Maiden and KISS who will also take the main stage.

Tour dates

February 2022

13.02.22 Denmark, Copenhagen, The Grey Hall

15.02 Norway, Oslo, Sentrum Scene

17.02 Germany, Hannover, Swiss Life Hall

18.02 Poland, Warsaw, Stodola

19.02 Germany, Berlin, Velodrom

21.02 Germany, Dusseldorf, Mitsubishi Electric Halle

22.02 Netherlands, Amsterdam, AFAS Live

23.02 Germany, Frankfurt, Festhalle

25.02 Germany, Munich, Zenith

26.02 Italy, Milan, Alcatraz

27.02 Italy, Rome, Atlantico

March 2022

1.03.22 Austria, Vienna, Gasometer

2.03 Switzerland, Zurich, Samsung Hall

4.03 Germany, Stuttgart, Porsche Arena

6.03 Luxembourg, Rockhal

7.03 France, Paris, Olympia

9.03 France, Lyon, Transbordeur

10.03 Spain, Barcelona, Razzmatazz

11.03 Spain, Madrid, La Riviera

Gallagher recently gave a revealing interview to The New Cue concerning his lockdown life and what his new material may sound like. In the interview Gallagher is asked if he wrote any songs during Lockdown, The ‘Supersonic’ writer responded stating how the COVID lockdown increased his creative productivity and confirmed that lockdown fuelled the idea for the Greatest Hits album, ‘Back the Way We Came” Vol 1 (2011- 2021)‘ released 11th June 2021.

Gallagher full reply was. “In the first three months, I think I wrote more songs in that period than I would ever have done which is where the idea of the Best Of came from. I don’t think it’d be coming out if it wasn’t for lockdown. It was a chance to get in the studio and do some some songs that I’d nearly completed that I thought were alright for a Best Of.”

Gallagher was then questioned concerning his next album, to which he replied: “Luckily I’ve got this place finished so all the stuff that I’d written I’m kind of in the process of putting it all together. I’d say I’ve got about four or five new tunes which are all in the demo stage, but they’re really good, really varied as well. So creatively it’s been alright.”

The interview began to dig deeper into the singer’s future plans, asking if the new songs which feature on the singer’s recent best-of album are an indication of a new album complete with new material. It is here that Gallagher disclosed his plans to record music unplugged this time. “It’s leaning to be more acoustic, actually. There will be more acoustic tracks on it than I would do and the reason for that is that I did those EPs the year before last and I was in that frame of mind to something electronic. If I hadn’t done that, my next album would have been like those EPs. So that’s given me a thing to react against. It’s more acoustic and a lot slower paced and bit more atmospheric. It’s good, though. Really good. There’s some bangers on there as well.”

Gallagher took to Twitter on the release date of his best of album, ‘Back the Way We Came” Vol 1 (2011- 2021)‘, within the post he celebrates the album’s release. The singer also appears to send a somewhat cryptic message to his fans, stating ‘Blimey.. just think of all the things I COULD have done in that time!‘.

“10 years of Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds?? Blimey! … Just think of all the things I COULD have done in that time!!” (NG)
‘Back The Way We Came: Vol 1 (2011-2021)’ is out today.
https://t.co/EIF3wBeMX5 #NGHFB10 pic.twitter.com/K1SwVLYxaL

— Noel Gallagher (@NoelGallagher) June 11, 2021

The older Gallagher brother has not only been discussing his music this week but has also spoken out about his views of COVID-19. The ‘Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds’ singer has stated how the pandemic is ‘classless’ and that ‘everybody’s in the same boat’. In the interview the musician presents a type of unified front, stating he dislikes the positive outlook in which celebrities have presented which he seemingly finds to be fake. In the interview with the Manchester Evening News, he further states how everyone has been suffering through the crisis and predicts a long way until we can gain normality.

The trio were set to play two nights at the Cardiff Metropolitan Arena this coming July but instead have announced that the dates will be pushed back to the 19th and 20th of September 2021. All previously purchased tickets will remain valid for the gig. The rescheduling was announced this morning (June 8th) in response to newly announced capacity restrictions.

Manic Street Preachers have moved their previously announced shows in July at the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena to Sunday 19th and Monday 20th September 2021. All tickets remain valid for the rescheduled dates. More info at: https://t.co/GuuAh3gPKZ pic.twitter.com/taFBNbpWd5

— Manic Street Preachers (@Manics) June 8, 2021

These gigs have been put on in support of the NHS, and tickets for the first night and free and for  NHS staff only; any unable to attend the revised date have been advised to get in touch with Ticketmaster, who will reallocate their free ticket to another NHS staff member. Paying ticketholders for the following night’s concert will be offered a full refund if they are unable to attend the rescheduled fundraising concert.

The rescheduling follows the announcement of the Manic Street Preachers’ 14th studio album “The Ultra Vivid Lament”. In a statement, the band state that “Orwellian”, the first track revealed of the new album “is about the battle to claim meaning, the erasing of context within debate, the overriding sense of factional conflict driven by digital platforms leading to a perpetual state of culture war.” The statement goes on to say “Musically, [the album] echoes ABBA, the majesty of Alan Rankine’s playing in The Associates and Talk Talk’s ‘It’s My Life’ with a Lindsey Buckingham Fleetwood Mac guitar solo. It felt like the perfect sonic and lyrical introduction to ‘The Ultra Vivid Lament’.”

After completing their two rescheduled NHS concerts, the Welsh band will embark on a UK tour throught September. Tickets and more information are available on their website.

You can listen to “Orwellian” below.

Tour Dates

30.07.21 Y NOT FESTIVAL, PIKEHALL, DERBYSHIRE

07.08 PARTY AT THE PALACE, LINLITHGOW SCOTLAND

29.08 CAMPER CALLING, ALCESTER, UK

10.09 PIECE HALL, HALIFAX, UK

18.09 ELECTRIC PARK FESTIVAL, JERSEY

19.09 MOTORPOINT ARENA, CARDIFF, UK

20.09 MOTORPOINT ARENA, CARDIFF, UK

26.09 O2 CITY HALL, NEWCASTLE

28.09 USHER HALL, EDINBURGH

29.09 CAIRD HALL, DUNDEE

01.10 VICTORIA HALL, STOKE-ON-TRENT

02.10 O2 APOLLO, MANCHESTER

04.10 BARBICAN, YORK

05.10 BARROWLAND, GLASGOW

07.10 O2 ACADEMY, LEEDS

08.10 GUILDHALL, PORTSMOUTH

10.10 O2 ACADEMY, BOURNEMOUTH

11.10 CORN EXCHANGE, CAMBRIDGE

13.10 FORUM, BATH

14.10 DOME, BRIGHTON

03.12 THE SSE ARENA, WEMBLEY, LONDON

26.05.22 ASHTON GATE STADIUM, BRISTOL, UK

28.05 RICOH STADIUM, COVENTRY, UK

01.06 RIVERSIDE STADIUM, MIDDLESBROUGH, UK

09.06 ALESUND COLORLINE STADIUM, NORWAY

11.06 STOCKHOLM TELE 2 ARENA, SWEDEN

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The festival is set to take place on July 24th 2021, over a month after the governments ‘road-map’ date for all lockdown restrictions to be lifted (June 21st!). The Director of Kaleidoscope Festival, Simon Fell, has stated, “to say it’s been a tough last year is a massive understatement, but it’s great to have something to look forward to this summer.”

Fell went on to say, “Kaleidoscope will provide everything you’d want from a festival experience, with loads of green space to explore, the Palace and world class music, comedy and entertainment, all here on one in day in London. To have Groove Armada headlining too, is the stuff summer dreams are made of.It is part of a packed programme we’re preparing at Ally Pally for when restrictions lift, so come and join the fun.”

Groove Armada have recently released their first LP since their 10 year hiatus, Edge of Horizon. The latest album gained wide critical acclaim, gaining 7.5 stars out of 10 from Line Of Best Fit. The duo’s Andy Cato said of the album to NME, “During those studio days, the rest of the world shuts down. There’s an intensity, anyone looking in might say madness, that kicks in when we’re totally lost amongst the instruments, synths and records day and night. But that shared, unspoken feeling that comes when we both know we’ve got it right cuts through as clear as ever.” 

After a 10 year hiatus since their last album @GrooveArmada have finally released their next LP! We recommend you listen to this from start to finish as loud as you can & if you can’t get enough come see them when they headline Kaleidoscope Festival 2021 https://t.co/yiW4ZQnE4d

— Kaleidoscope Festival (@KS_Festival) October 2, 2020

Currently priced at £53.50, the one-dayer will be one you do not want to miss. Performing beside Groove Armada and The Coral will be Greg Wilson, House Gospel Choir and Mr Wilson’s Second Liners.

The relatively new festival has been described as ‘unbeatable’ by Evening Standard, who rewarded them with a 4 star review. The festival hosts DJ’s and Spoken Word, with Irvine Welsh and Phil Wang headlining the Comedy tent.

With many more acts to be announced over the coming months, Kaleidoscope Festival will certainly bring the summer vibes after the long lockdown. Tickets are currently on sale and can be found here.

Bad Sound issued a statement to instagram to unveil the sad news, stating, “With a heavy heart, we have to announce that due to the ongoing uncertainties surrounding live music, our upcoming tour has been cancelled. Anyone who has been to one of our shows before will know how much we love playing live, and how much it means to us when we see you beautiful faces, batting balloons away and sining with us through a thick fog of confetti. We’re going to take some time to regroup and figure out when and how we can do this to make it something special and we will be back as soon as we can!”

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However, not all is lost. Bad Sounds added that big news will be coming on all socials. Fans will have to wait and see for the new dates and what news this could bring, but their could be more collaborations on singles. They stated, “In the meantime, keep an eye out on our socials for bigs new and new dates. Refunds will of course be issued from point of purchase.”

The indie five-piece had recently released ‘Move In To Me’, a slow and emotional track that collaborates with the New Zealand duo, Broods.  The smooth track combines the two bands sound perfectly, creating a simmering groove track.

Front men of the band, brothers Callum and Ewan Merrett, said they always envisioned Bad Sounds as a ‘collaborative project’, to meet a “bunch of like-minded musicians and write songs together and our friends would feature.”

This is evident with their recent work with Arlo Parks. Working behind the scenes on ‘Bluish’, Bad Sounds stated to their socials, ‘It’s a huge privilege for us to be a part of such an important artist’s debut album and we’re extremely grateful to Arlo for getting us involved  I hope we did you proud’. The track has gained over 800,000 streams on Spotify alone, showing that the future of Bad Sounds is bright!

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BREAKING: The 4 steps to lifting lockdown in England.

There will be weeks between each step: 4 weeks to reflect on the data followed by 1 week notice to be given to relevant sectors and the public. pic.twitter.com/7RTql0pV7S

— Daniel Hewitt (@DanielHewittITV) February 22, 2021

Music Venue Trust Mark Davyd has stated the the governments road map plan has given the organisation the go-ahead to begin ‘imagining how we revive live music in grassroots music venues and develop that work into the full return of the domestic music scene.’

From the 17th May, large performances up to a capacity of 1,000 people or half-full (whichever is lower for the venue) will be allowed. This could mean that smaller music venues and theatres will be allowed to put on shows and gigs to small crowds. This follows on from Johnsons discussion last week of having rapid testing for music venues and nightclubs to ensure these parts of the sector can open as they were unable to last year. Out-door venues of 4,000 people will also be allowed, or at hall-full capacity – whichever is lower.

Many in the music industry have called out to the government and Johnson to ensure that the music sector is not forgotten and supported equally throughout the rest of the pandemic. Greg Parmley, the CEO of LIVE has stated “While it is good to get some clarity following almost a year of confusion, as predicted our £4.5 billion industry is at the back of the queue to reopen. Any return to normality for live music could be months behind the rest of the economy. The Chancellor must acknowledge our extended closure in the Budget and provide the economic support needed to ensure the jobs and livelihoods of the hundreds of thousands of people that work in our industry exist as we come through this pandemic.”

This includes extending the current 5% rate VAT on tickets sales, which was discussed to be risen to 20%, financially hurting those in live music extensively. Similarly, David Martin CEO of Featured Artists Coalition agrees with Parmley stating ‘there is some way to go’. Acknowledging a slower approach was correct, Martin said “the government should learn from its “slow response on income support and other financial assistance” last year.”

Smaller festivals such as Maiden Voyage have been 100% confirmed to go ahead by the government. Maiden Voyage have stated that they have been given ‘provisional confirmation from the government that our festival will be going ahead as planned this year.’ 

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However, the roadmap is reliant and based upon England passing four tests. These are the success of the vaccine rollout, the effectiveness of vaccines, how the NHS is coping with the current infection rate and any potential threats from new variants.

Newman is a singer-songwriter based in London. He has previously won a Brit Award for co-writing ‘Waiting All Night’, the up-beat track from Rudimental and Ella Eyre. He has also written for Ed Sheeran and Jess Glynne, as well as being John Newman’s older brother.

The singer, who was set to perform ‘My Last Breath’ from his 2020 EP ‘The Things We Do’, has promised to come back with a brand new track for this years event. He tweeted ‘Super happy to announce that I’ll be representing the UK at the 2021 @Eurovision song contest! (for real this time!) Things didn’t go to plan last year but this year we’re back (with a brand new song no less!) keep your eyes and ears peeled  x #ESC2021

Super happy to announce that I’ll be representing the UK at the 2021 @Eurovision song contest! (for real this time!)

Things didn’t go to plan last year but this year we’re back (with a brand new song no less!) keep your eyes and ears peeled x#ESC2021 pic.twitter.com/vDqUB2w3Gu

— James Newman (@JamesNewmanUk) February 19, 2021

The singer stated to the BBC, “I feel like everyone wants a party and to have some fun so when I was writing, that’s what I had in my head. I wanted something people can dance to, even if it’s just in their kitchen.” He continued “I haven’t stopped making new music in lockdown and I can’t wait for everyone to hear the song I’m taking to Eurovision in 2021.

 Jo Wallace, Acting Controller Entertainment Commissioning for the BBC, said: “We are so pleased to have James back with us and representing the United Kingdom at Eurovision 2021. After 2020 and the postponing of the 65th song contest Eurovision is exactly what everyone needs!”

 To give Newman a run for his money, Iceland’s Daði Freyr will also be returning. Being last years favourites to win, the singer will return with his track ‘Think About Things’ that went viral and ended up being used for Strictly Come Dancing’s promo campaign. The singer has already asked for members of the public to join a virtual choir for his 2021 return to the Eurovision contest, meaning ‘he has eyes on a win in 2021’. 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Daði Freyr (@dadimakesmusic)

The organisers of the 65th Eurovision Song Contest have taken extra precautions to ensure that the event will go ahead. They have prepared for a ‘series of scenarios’ to ensure the contest happens this year, no matter the severity of the pandemic and its restrictions. This means that James Newman will definitely be the UK’s offering for the contest, regardless of travel restrictions, meaning contestants can either perform live in Rotterdam or remotely in their home country or in quarantine.

Graham Norton, who commentates the Eurovision Contest for the UK has confirmed the event will go ahead stating “There’s definitely going to be a Eurovision… The competition element is going to happen.” The event will take place on 22nd May 2021.

Follow James Newman for updates on the UK’s track at the contest and be sure to vote at the 65th Eurovision Song Contest!